News Summary
A twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58P crashed in Levy County, Florida, on Sunday night, killing all three individuals on board. The aircraft had just taken off from Kentucky and was en route to Williston Regional Airport for refueling when it unexpectedly increased speed before crashing in a peanut field. Witnesses reported a loud bang followed by flames and smoke. Investigations by the NTSB and FAA are underway to determine the cause of the accident, which occurred amidst a thunderstorm.
Williston, Florida
A plane crash occurred on Sunday night in Levy County, Florida, resulting in three fatalities. The crash involved a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58P, which was registered to 424 Ventures LLC based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the crash site, located in a peanut field owned by Fugate Farms, southwest of Williston. All three individuals aboard the plane were confirmed dead by officials shortly after the crash. The aircraft had taken off from an airport in Springfield, Kentucky, and was scheduled to land at Williston Regional Airport for refueling.
As the aircraft neared the airport, it reportedly increased speed instead of slowing down, falling suddenly from an altitude of 1,400 to 400 feet. Witness reports indicated that a thunderstorm was present in the area at the time of the crash. Witnesses described the plane exploding upon impact and characterized the noise as a loud bang. Dana Wade, a neighbor to the crash site, noted that the initial noise of the crash did not alarm her family, who assumed it was gunfire typical in the area until they saw flames and smoke erupting from the site.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have initiated an investigation into the crash. The pilot had filed a flight plan for a refueling stop in Williston, and no information about the identities of the pilot or passengers has been released as investigation continues.
A nearby aircraft circled the area as it awaited the arrival of first responders after witnessing the crash. The incident took place approximately one mile northwest of Williston Regional Airport. While weather data indicated Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions, thunderstorms and gusting winds were recorded in the vicinity around the time of the incident, contributing to the ongoing investigation.
This tragic accident highlights the risks associated with aviation, particularly under adverse weather conditions. As the NTSB and FAA continue their investigation, the aviation community awaits further updates regarding the circumstances surrounding this fatal incident.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: Plane Crash
- News Nation Now
- Google Search: Plane Crash Florida
- Fox 35 Orlando
- Google Scholar: Aviation Safety
- AVweb
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aviation Safety
- WCJB
- Google News: Florida Plane Crash
- WLKY
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
